‘The Bearpit is a space for everyone’

The values of liberty, equality and community lie at the heart of the Bearpit – a vibrant melting pot of people from all walks of life.

But a recent rise in antisocial behaviour sparked a council decision to seize back control of the public thoroughfare. Now, a small group is hoping to turn its fortunes around once more by transforming the space into a food innovation hub.

“It’s an amazing idea – it’s really nice to see something be done here,” says one man, studying a board of colourful post-it notes as he waits for a cup of coffee in a newly-revived spot of the sunken roundabout.

The whole community is invited to give feedback on plans for the Bearpit

Here, there are shelves of greens growing, a book swap, chalkboards inviting people to upcoming summer events and a whole host of ideas and feedback on the plans to turn the space in Bristol city centre into a ‘green gateway’, promoting sustainable produce and community-led initiatives.

Many are supportive of the drive to create positive change, but others worry it is part of a gentrification process – with street art already scrubbed from the walls and the giant cube that for years displayed a variety of slogans, artwork and information removed.

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Read more: Bearpit ‘cube’ removed by Bristol Waste

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Simon is part of the team behind plans to transform the Bearpit into a food innovation hub

Simon Green, one of the team behind the food innovation hub proposals, is keen to dispel some of the myths surrounding the idea and says the aim is to be completely inclusive – not to displace anyone who currently calls the Bearpit home.

It is late one sunny Wednesday morning and he is busy behind the coffee machine as people walk past, some stopping to speak to the Bristol Community Health team on a stand outside, others to study the colourful brainstorm of ideas on the wall.

Feedback of all kinds is welcomed

People are being asked to contribute their ideas

Over on a raised platform, some of the street community are rising from sleeping bags and one man wanders over to claim a steaming cup of tea waiting for him on the table. “It should still be hot,” says Simon.

He, along with Miriam Delogu, used to trade in the Bearpit, but shut up shop early this year following the increase in antisocial behaviour. They are now back and hopeful of engaging the wider community in their innovative new vision.

“The main reason we came back was to show the public and the council that there were long term plans for the space and to keep the faith,” says Simon.

“It’s also about public consultation on what these should be – this is a chance to engage with as many people as possible.

“We know we need to do things slightly differently so we have made a really conscious effort to engage with as wide a group as possible and hear what the city has to say about the space. If people don’t want these things, we have to listen to them.”

CCTV is now in place

As he speaks, contractors arrive to begin installing CCTV. A Bristol City Council spokesperson said this is part of  ongoing work to tidy up the area and prepare it for any future use, adding: “We are committed to working with the wider community to help develop the area and make the Bearpit an inclusive place that everyone can use.”

Simon says that the team behind the Circle – as the food innovation hub project is known – have been working closely with agencies and organisations who support homeless people and rough sleepers.

They are also pushing the council to reopen the toilets and say they would manage and clean them.

“We have had really difficult conversations with people here,” says Simon. “This is a space for everyone and if people are not safe to be here, then it’s not everyone’s space.”

He adds that the Circle team don’t want to see bare walls and if their vision becomes a reality, they hope to get the wider community involved in creating a vibrant art space once more.

“Our big shout is for people to do the public consultation,” he says. “We know that when you fill this space with activity it’s great, it tips the balance.”

Gemma Holden and Emily Ayling of Bristol Community Health

The Bristol Community Health stand is in place as part of a ‘wellness Wednesdays’ initiative running throughout August and September.

“It’s been interesting, there has been a real mix of people coming through – some have taken information about services and some about volunteering,” says Bristol Community Health’s Gemma Holden.

“We have been able to signpost some of the homeless population to places like the Compass centre.

“We are trying to get a flavour for what people’s needs are and what people are asking for.”

St Mungo’s outreach teams also go out up to four times a day to connect with people on the streets.

David Ingerslev, St Mungo’s rough sleeping service manager says: “The Bearpit has not primarily been a site for large numbers of people rough sleeping.

“We are aware there have been significant challenges in that location and that positive change is needed. Our teams will continue to connect with anyone who is rough sleeping wherever they are in Bristol.”

Myles Barnett, managing director of Tasty Ragga

For Myles Barnett, opening his Tasty Ragga bus in his second week of trading, the Bearpit is a positive, vibrant community to be part of and and he says he is excited by the opportunities there to bring people together with open cook outs.

FareShare South West and the the people behind the new vision for the Bearpit are teaming up to invite the city to a surplus banquet, cooked using food that would otherwise have gone to waste, on Friday, September 7.

For Simon, this is a chance to showcase the possibilities of the Bearpit and for people to give their views on the vision for its future.

Book a place at Friday feast via: www.getawriggleon.com/guides/bristol/fareshare-south-west/events.

Read more: Bearpit to be transformed into food innovation hub